ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6996, 9 December 1909, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. "A ROYAL DIVORCE." There is probably no historical drama more universally popular than "A Royal Divorce," which continues to prove as big a draw as when it was first staged some years ago. The Opera Houso was crowded last evening when the Julius Knight Company gave the second performance of the piece. Mr Julius Knight's masterly interpretation of tho role of the "Man of Destiny" called forth frequent applause, and Miss Beatrice Day appeared natural and graceful as the Empress Josephine. Other artistic achievements were the impersonations of the parts of Marquis de Beaumont, M. de Talleyrand, and General Augurcau, by Messrs Reynolds Denniston, Leslie Victor and Sydney Stir r ling respectively. The tableaux aro a special feature of the play. The season will conclude this evening with another performance of "A Royal Divorce." THEATRE ROYAL. A well-seleeted programme by Fullers' Pictures accounted for a numerous audience at the Theatre Royal last evening. The subjects are varied, and range from travel scenes in Europe and China to dramatic, oomic, and industrial themes. The trip through Holland, and the glimpse at the numerous processes in the manufacture of a fountain pen are very interesting items. The programme will bo repeated to-night. THE SCARLET THOTJBADOTJRS. .'" Commencing to-morrow night and for eight nights only, the Opera House mill be occupied by that successful English Musical Comedy Company, the Scarlet Troubadours, after a lengthy tour of Australia. The director, Sir Edward Branseombe, is anxious to dispel from the minds of patrons the mistaken idea that these entertainments are of the vaudeville type. This company is a costume comedy company, which is a happy medium between musical comedy and concert work,"and. although a strong "element of humour prevails, it is essentially musical throughout. Three complete changes of programme will be presented here, which are entirely new, and include several items of a distinctly hovel and interesting' character. '.'.• The continuous success of the. troubadours is proof 'that Mr Brans'combe supplies a want '.' in producing, a high-class . and humjoxous'performance, which does- not in tho slightest' degree depart from its high place of excellence to wear the mask of ; comedy. Included, in tho personnel are Mr - Claude Leplastrier and Miss 'Madge. Nicholson, who ..have had considerables' experience in thjis class of entertainment. The box plans are open at the Dresden, PUPILS' CONCERT. The pupils of Mrs ■ H. Queree gave-an enjoyable concert last night in' the rooms of ttrf'Bri'tish and'Continental Piano Company. AH the items, both vocal and instrumental, were artistically given,- the students exhibiting . careful training. -Miss Parker sang "Three Green Bonnets." and_ ; "Life's Recompense" with effect. 'Bach's "Prelude and Pugue in A Minor" was a pianoforte item in which Miss M. Mackay showed musicianly gifts, and in the duo ("Le Matin") for two pianos both she aid Miss Clark-Johnston gave it-studious rendering. -Messrs W. Thompson and P. Charlton pleased with the vocal duets "Night Hymn at Sea" .and "The . Sea Hath , Its Pearls,". ..'the."former . singer showing, care and judgment.,in Tosti's "My. Dreams.". .The latter ..was. heard in the solos "DioPossente" and a' trio of Cdnningsby Clarke's songs. Men students gave as quartettes "lovely Night" and "On the Banks of Allan: Water." Mr Then. Queree, who was in good voice, sang '.'Pour by the Clock" and"Atßest." There was a goad.attendancev . ■■■■■ 1 TOWN HALL CONCERT CHAMBER. A concert was given in the Town Hall last evening in aid of the funds of the Wellington Central District Cricket Club. Tho attendance was hardly as largo as might have been oxpected, and certainly not as good as tho merits of the concert deserved. Most of the items on tho programmo were encored. The ladies and gentlemen whose names appeared on the programmo were the Misses A, M. St. Geargo and B. Luke; Messrs W. H. Roberts, T. K. Thomson, T. Wilkinson, C. Gray, P. D. Andrews, S. Sweeney, Borneo Gardiner, J. Dykes, H. S. Maclean, E. Parkes, W. P. Bastin, and Dr J. R.' Purdy. MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. Tho Misisons to Seamen Institute was crowded last evening, when Mrs Eichelbaum provided an enjoyable concert. Mr James Moore, the nMssioner, occupied the chair. The following 7 contributed .to the programme : —Misses Webster, Newman, D. Isaacs,''Kin's,''Messrs'E'., Lyons, P. A. do la Maro and Dr Isaacs. Miss Webster acted as accompanist.- The missioner spoke on temperance, and fourteen men took tho pledge.